In November 2014, Missoula city and county residents voted to approve a $42 million countywide Parks & Trails Bond to expand or improve park and recreational opportunities (like Fort Missoula Regional Park) in Missoula County.

$3 million of this bond funding is set aside to build or improve county trails to provide additional opportunities for recreation, access to public lands, and connections between communities.  

The Trails Bond Program encourages applications for all types of trails – commuter, recreational, fitness, equestrian, ski trails and more. Project sponsors are asked to demonstrate community support through partnerships and secured or pending project funding sources.

Woody Mountain and Lolo Hillside trails - 2026

Missoula County has applied for $62,619 to support two county-owned trail projects. The first project will construct 0.45 miles of natural-surface trail up Woody Mountain (east of Missoula), along with a 0.25-mile lower loop, both at West Riverside Park. The second project will formalize a network of existing social trails within the Lolo Hillside Park System, creating approximately 1.2 miles of designated trail that will ultimately connect to the new trail system in the Belltower Subdivision. Together, these projects will improve trail connectivity, formalize existing recreational use, and expand access to the County’s growing network of parks and trails.

Application materials:

• Level II application
• Appendices
• Letters of support

Mount Dean Stone Trails - 2026

Five Valleys Land Trust applied for $234,000 in bond funding to develop over 12 miles of new trails on the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest. These projects play a vital role in meeting recreation demand and creating inclusive access to the community, while protecting the “backyard backcountry” feel of the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest. The project consists of three categories of trail development: 

1. Landscape connection trails: Approximately 10 miles of trails will provide single-track connectivity from Miller Creek to the existing trail networks in Pattee Canyon.
2. Neighborhood loop trails: Approximately 2 miles of short-looping routes will provide easily accessible opportunities for the growing Miller Creek Neighborhood.
3. All abilities access: A 3/4 mi accessible trail at the Skyline Ridge Trailhead will provide panoramic high-elevation views of the surrounding mountain ranges for people of all ages and abilities.

Application materials are available online.